Zoological Studies

Vol. 47 No. 2, 2008

Galls of Cerataphis bambusifoliae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) Found on Styrax suberifolius in Taiwan

Utako Kurosu1,*, Mayako Kutsukake2, Shigeyuki Aoki3, Chuan-Chan Wang4, How-Jing Lee5, and Takema Fukatsu2

1Faculty of Economics, Chuo University, 742-1 Higashinakano, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0393, Japan
2Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8566, Japan
3Faculty of Economics, Rissho University, Osaki 4-2-16, Tokyo 141-8602, Japan
4Research Center for Biodiversity, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan5Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
5Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan

Utako Kurosu, Mayako Kutsukake, Shigeyuki Aoki, Chuan-Chan Wang, How-Jing Lee, and Takema Fukatsu (2008) Hitherto unknown fig-shaped galls of a cerataphidine aphid were found on Styrax suberifolius in a mountainous region of Taiwan.  The morphology of 1st-instar nymphs deposited by alates that had emerged from the galls accorded well with the morphology of 1st-instar nymphs of Cerataphis bambusifoliae on bamboo.  The mitochondrial DNA sequences from the gall and bamboo aphids also supported the identity of the 2 generations.  The gall-living aphids are therefore considered to be the primary host generation of C. bambusifoliae, and a description of the alates, apterous adults, and the 1st-instar nymphs is given.  We also revealed that, like other cerataphidines, C. bambusifoliae produces many 2nd-instar, sterile soldiers in their galls.

Key words: Cerataphidini, Hormaphidinae, Host alternation, Mitochondrial DNA, Soldier aphid.

*Correspondence: Tel/Fax: 81-48-4788201.  E-mail:ukurosu@tamacc.chuo-u.ac.jp